By Nikhil Joshi, managing director, Boeing Defence India

India’s aerospace and defence sector is undergoing a transformation rooted in modernization, indigenization and mission-readiness. At Boeing, we are proud to be a long-standing partner in this journey; one that spans more than eight decades and continues to evolve through platforms, partnerships and performance. It’s a relationship built on trust, performance, and shared ambition. What began with aircraft deliveries has grown into a full-spectrum collaboration: across design, manufacturing, services, and skilling.

Platforms That Strengthen Missions

India’s fleet of Boeing aircraft reflects the depth of this partnership. The Indian Air Force operates 11 C‑17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters, 28 AH‑64 Apache attack helicopters, 15 CH‑47 Chinook heavy‑lift helicopters, and VVIP aircraft based on the 737 and 777 platforms.

The C‑17 Globemaster III has become indispensable to India’s rapid response capability, from transporting tanks and heavy equipment to humanitarian missions during crises. During COVID‑19, these aircraft carried critical medical supplies across borders and supported evacuation operations. India now operates the largest C‑17 fleet outside the United States.

The CH‑47 Chinook has proven its worth in high‑altitude terrain, moving artillery and supplies into posts otherwise inaccessible, including Ladakh, Siachen, and the Northeast. Its tandem rotor design provides unmatched lift capability, supporting both military logistics and disaster relief.

The AH‑64 Apache brings precision strike, advanced surveillance, and battlefield survivability. Equipped with cutting‑edge sensors and weapons systems, it has already demonstrated its value in joint exercises and operational deployments. With six more on the way for the Indian Army, its footprint will expand further.

India was also the first international customer for the P‑8I, the largest operator of C‑17s outside the U.S., and the first to integrate a U.S. weapon onto a homegrown fighter, milestones that underscore the strategic depth of collaboration.

Mission Readiness Through Lifecycle Support

Our commitment extends beyond delivering advanced platforms. Reliability, resilience, and readiness are key attributes of a military aircraft, and through Boeing Defence India (BDI), we provide comprehensive lifecycle solutions, including integrated logistics support and Performance‑Based Logistics (PBL).

Recently, Boeing has finalized three major PBL contracts with India’s defence forces, covering the Apache, Chinook, and P‑8I fleets, together valued at more than $1.3 billion. These contracts reinforce our long‑term commitment to India and the confidence our customers place in Boeing to deliver reliable lifecycle sustainment, fleet support, and mission readiness. They are partnerships built around outcomes, ensuring that critical platforms remain mission‑ready throughout their service life, while providing predictable, efficient, and integrated sustainment. The impact is clear: higher fleet availability, reduced downtime, and greater operational confidence.

Since 2017, BDI has been building in‑country capabilities and strengthening support for India’s defence ecosystem, in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. This is part of Boeing’s broader global strategy, where we leverage technical expertise and diverse portfolios to meet local needs, just as we do in Australia, the U.K., Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Our focus remains on cost‑effective solutions, timely support, and flawless execution for our customers here.

The C‑17 fleet benefits from the Globemaster Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), which provides access to a global pool of parts and services. Tailored PBL solutions for Apache and Chinook platforms include advanced simulators, training, and predictive maintenance tools. These strategies reduce lifecycle costs, improve availability, and resolve Aircraft On Ground situations efficiently.

Digital solutions such as Boeing’s Mission Accelerator add predictive maintenance and training optimization, enhancing operational readiness. These efforts are part of Boeing’s Next‑Gen Product Support (NGPS) approach, designed to minimize downtime and improve war‑fighting effectiveness.

Co‑Production and Industrial Partnerships

Beyond platforms and sustainment, Boeing’s partnership with India is also about co‑production and industrial capability building. A milestone achievement has been the manufacture of the 400th Apache fuselage at the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) facility in Hyderabad. These fuselages, produced in India, are integrated into Apache helicopters delivered worldwide, underscoring India’s growing role in the global aerospace supply chain.

This example demonstrates how co‑production strengthens India’s industrial base, creates high‑skill jobs, and embeds Indian suppliers into Boeing’s global ecosystem. It is a tangible reflection of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, showing how local manufacturing can scale into global impact.

Building India’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Ecosystem

India’s aviation sector, already the world’s third‑largest civil market, is poised for unprecedented growth. Boeing’s MRO network in India supports both defence and civil aviation, driving efficiency and cost‑effectiveness.

The convergence of civil and defence MRO efforts is transforming the ecosystem, integrating advanced defence technologies into the civil sector to boost innovation and capabilities. A recent example is AI Engineering Services Limited’s successful overhaul of P‑8I landing gear, a milestone that shows how civil infrastructure can support complex defence platforms. This evolution enables suppliers, workforce skills, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to set benchmarks for maintenance, availability, and rapid turnaround times.

Boeing is investing in on‑base MRO facilities and partnerships across the ecosystem, reinforcing its long‑term commitment to India. The vision is clear: bring the best of Boeing to India and export the best of India to the world. On Indian Air Force Day, we reaffirm that commitment, with pride, purpose, and partnership.